Heat source system control device

ABSTRACT

A heat source system control device controls a heat source system and has a plurality of heat source units with capacities and/or the load characteristics that are different, a first header which aggregates hot/cold water supplied from the plurality of heat source units, and a header temperature sensor which measures the temperature of the hot/cold water aggregated by the first header. The heat source system control device includes a set temperature memory section storing a set temperature of the hot/cold water in the header, a header temperature detecting section detecting output values from the header temperature sensor, a coefficient of performance memory section storing coefficient of performance information, and a control section performing a control for improving efficiency on the plurality of heat source units based on the respective capacities and/or load characteristics and bringing the temperature of the hot/cold water close to the set temperature.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a heat source system control device.

BACKGROUND ART

In the prior art, an device which is shown in Patent Literature 1(Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-114295) isknown as an example of a heat source system control device whichcontrols the number of heat source units included in a heat sourcesystem. The system according to Patent Literature 1 measures thetemperature of the hot/cold water which is supplied to the heat sourceunits and implements starting and stopping of operation of each of theheat source units, controlling of the loads of compressors in each ofthe heat source units, and controlling of a flow amount of the hot/coldwater in each of the heat source units so as to maximize a coefficientof performance (COP) over the entirety of the heat source system basedon the measured temperatures. In the heat source system according toPatent Literature 1, the plurality of heat source units controlled bythe heat source system control device includes both the heat sourceunits where it is possible to control the loads of the compressors andthe heat source units where it is not possible to control the loads ofthe compressor. In addition, each of the heat source units where it ispossible to control the loads of the compressors has the same capacityand load characteristic with each other. The heat source system controldevice according to Patent Literature 1 performs control of thecompressors of each of the heat source units such that the coefficientof performance over the entirety of the heat source system is maximizedwith regard to the plurality of heat source units which have the samecapacity and load characteristic.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Technical Problems

Some heat source systems have a plurality of heat source units where thecapacities and/or the load characteristics are different. As a methodfor controlling a heat source system which has a plurality of heatsource units where the capacities and/or the load characteristics aredifferent, there is a method where the heat source system control devicepreferentially drives the heat source units with good efficiency andstops driving of the heat source units with poor efficiency according tothe load over the entirety of the system. In this method forcontrolling, it is not necessarily the case that setting of the loads ofthe heat source units which are preferentially driven is the optimalcoefficient of performance for all of the heat source units. As such,there is a possibility that the coefficient of performance for theentirety of the heat source system is not optimized so as to bemaximized.

The present invention is carried out in consideration of the pointsdescribed above and the problem of the present invention is to provide aheat source system control device which performs control for improvingefficiency such that the coefficient of performance for the entirety ofthe heat source system is optimized as part of the control of the heatsource system which has a plurality of heat source units where thecapacities and/or the load characteristics are different.

Solution to Problem

A heat source system control device according to a first aspect of thepresent invention is a heat source system control device controlling aheat source system and is provided with a set temperature memorysection, a header temperature detecting section, and a control section.The heat source system has heat source units, a header, and a headertemperature sensor. The heat source units include a plurality of heatsource units where the capacities and/or load characteristics aredifferent. The header aggregates hot/cold water which is supplied fromthe plurality of heat source units. The header temperature sensormeasures the temperature of the hot/cold water which is aggregated bythe header. The set temperature memory section stores a set temperatureof the hot/cold water in the header. The header temperature detectingsection detects output values from the header temperature sensor. Thecontrol section performs a control for improving efficiency on theplurality of heat source units based on the respective capacities and/orload characteristics and brings the temperature of the hot/cold waterclose to the set temperature.

In the heat source system control device, the control section controlsthe heat source units such that the temperature of the hot/cold waterwhich is aggregated by the header becomes the set temperature of thehot/cold water stored in the set temperature memory section. At thistime, the heat source system control device performs the control forimproving efficiency such that operating efficiency of the heat sourceunits over the entirety of the heat source system is maximized based onthe capacities and/or the load characteristics of the respective heatsource units.

As a result, it is possible to maximize the coefficient of performanceover the entirety of the heat source system in the heat source systemwhich has the plurality of heat source units where the capacities and/orthe load characteristics are different.

Here, the “coefficient of performance (COP)” is represented by coolingcapacity (kW) per 1 kW of power consumption. In addition, “load” isenergy which is actually consumed by the heat source unit. In a casewhere the heat source unit has an inverter type compressor, the load ofthe heat source unit is a number which is equivalent to a step of thecompressor (a step equivalent number).

A heat source system control device according to a second aspect of thepresent invention is the heat source system control device according tothe first aspect of the present invention, where the control sectionperforms at least one of an individual control of driving and stoppingof each of the plurality of heat source units and an individual controlof the load of each of the plurality of heat source units.

This heat source system control device controls the loads of the heatsource units individually. The individual control of the load for eachof the heat source units includes driving and stopping of each of theheat source units. It is thereby possible to flexibly perform thecontrol for improving efficiency over the entirety of the heat sourcesystem which has the plurality of heat source units where the capacitiesand/or the load characteristics are different.

A heat source system control device according to a third aspect of thepresent invention is the heat source system control device according tothe first aspect or the second aspect of the present invention which isfurther provided with a coefficient of performance memory section. Thecoefficient of performance memory section stores information, whichrelates to a coefficient of performance according to the load of each ofthe plurality of heat source units, as coefficient of performanceinformation. The control section references the coefficient ofperformance information stored in the coefficient of performance memorysection and drives each of the plurality of heat source units with theload where the coefficient of performance is high.

In the heat source system control device, the control section driveseach of the heat source units with the load with the high coefficient ofperformance based on information which relates to the coefficient ofperformance of each of the heat source units with regard to the heatsource system which has a plurality of heat source units where thecapacities and/or the load characteristics are different. As such, it ispossible to easily and reliably perform the control for improvingefficiency such that the coefficient of performance over the entirety ofthe heat source system is maximized.

A heat source system control device according to a fourth aspect of thepresent invention is the heat source system control device according toany of the first aspect to the third aspect of the present inventionwhich is further provided with a rated capacity memory section. Therated capacity memory section stores information, which relates to arated capacity of each of the plurality of heat source units, as ratedcapacity information. The control section determines the heat sourceunits which are driven or stopped based on the rated capacityinformation stored in the rated capacity memory section.

In the heat source system control device, the heat source units whichare driven or stopped are selected based on the rated capacityinformation of the respective heat source units in the heat sourcesystem which has a plurality of heat source units where the capacitiesand/or the load characteristics are different. Due to this, it ispossible to perform the control for improving efficiency such that theefficiency is maximized with regard to the total energy consumption overthe entirety of the heat source system.

A heat source system control device according to a fifth aspect of thepresent invention is the heat source system control device according toany of the first aspect to the fourth aspect of the present invention,where the heat source system further has a plurality of pumps. Theplurality of pumps supply the hot/cold water to each of the plurality ofheat source units. The control section adjusts the temperature of thehot/cold water which is aggregated by the header by controlling a flowamount of the hot/cold water supplied from the plurality of pumps.

In the heat source system control device, the control for improvingefficiency is preformed on the loads of the respective heat source unitsand the flow amount of the hot/cold water which is supplied to therespective heat source units based on the temperature of the hot/coldwater which is aggregated by the header. Due to this, it is possible tobring the efficiency of the total energy consumption over the entiretyof the heat source system close to the maximum more easily in the heatsource system which has a plurality of heat source units where thecapacities and/or the load characteristics are different.

A heat source system control device according to a sixth aspect of thepresent invention is the heat source system control device according tothe fifth aspect of the present invention, where the heat source systemfurther has a plurality of outlet temperature sensors. The plurality ofoutlet temperature sensors are arranged in the vicinity of respectiveoutlets of the plurality of heat source units. The plurality of outlettemperature sensors measure outlet temperatures which are thetemperatures of the hot/cold water which is supplied to the header. Theheat source system control device is further provided with an outlettemperature detecting section. The outlet temperature detecting sectiondetects output values from the plurality of outlet temperature sensors.The control section adjusts the temperature of the hot/cold water in theheader by controlling the load of each of the plurality of heat sourceunits and the flow amount of the hot/cold water which is supplied fromthe plurality of pumps based on the outlet temperatures of each of theplurality of heat source units and the flow amount of the hot/cold waterwhich is supplied from each of the plurality of heat source units.

In the heat source system control device, the control section detectsthe outlet temperature of the hot/cold water from each of the heatsource units using the outlet temperature detecting section. Inaddition, the control section controls the flow amount of the hot/coldwater from each of the heat source units. The control section controlsthe load and the flow amount of the hot/cold water in each of the heatsource units based on the outlet temperature and flow amount of thehot/cold water from each of the heat source units. Due to this, it ispossible to more easily and reliably control the temperature and theflow amount of the hot/cold water in the header.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

In the heat source system control device according to the first aspect,it is possible to maximize the coefficient of performance over theentirety of the heat source system which has the plurality of heatsource units where the capacities and/or the load characteristics aredifferent.

In the heat source system control device according to the second aspect,it is possible to flexibly perform the control for improving efficiencyover the entirety of the heat source system which has the plurality ofheat source units where the capacities and/or the load characteristicsare different.

In the heat source system control device according to the third aspect,it is possible to more easily and reliably perform the control forimproving efficiency so as to maximize the coefficient of performanceover the entirety of the heat source system with regard to the totalenergy consumption over the entirety of the heat source system and theefficiency with regard to the total energy consumption, based oninformation which relates to the coefficient of performance of each ofthe heat source units with regard to the heat source system which hasthe plurality of heat source units where the capacities and/or the loadcharacteristics are different.

In the heat source system control device according to the fourth aspect,the heat source units which are driven or stopped are selected based onthe rated capacity information on the respective heat source units inthe heat source system which has the plurality of heat source unitswhere the capacities and/or the load characteristics are different. Dueto this, it is possible to perform the control for improving efficiencysuch that the efficiency is maximized with regard to the total energyconsumption over the entirety of the heat source system.

In the heat source system control device according to the fifth aspect,it is possible to more easily perform the control for improvingefficiency so that the efficiency of the total energy consumption overthe entirety of the heat source system approaches to the maximum in theheat source system which has the plurality of heat source units wherethe capacities and/or the load characteristics are different.

In the heat source system control device according to the sixth aspect,it is possible to more easily and reliably control the temperature andthe flow amount of the hot/cold water in the header.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an energy managementsystem according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a heat source systemcontrol device.

FIG. 3( a) is a graph expressing the relationship between the load andthe coefficient of performance of a heat source unit. FIG. 3( b) is agraph expressing the relationship between the load and the coefficientof performance of a heat source unit which is different to the heatsource unit in FIG. 3( a).

FIG. 4 is a table of load and coefficient of performance.

FIG. 5 is a table of rated capacity of heat source unit.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating the flow of a process in a heatsource system control device.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating the flow of a process in a heatsource system control device according to the modified example A.

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of an energy managementsystem according to modified example B.

FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of a heat source systemcontrol device according to modified example B.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating the flow of a process in a heatsource system control device according to modified example B.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

An energy management system 200 which includes a heat source systemcontrol device 10 according to the present invention will be describedbelow with reference to the drawings.

(1) ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

FIG. 1 illustrates the energy management system 200. The energymanagement system 200 is a system which manages energy consumed in abuilding.

The energy management system 200 includes a heat source system 100 andthe heat source system control device 10. The energy management system200 manages energy which is consumed in a building by controlling heatsource units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c, which are included in the heat sourcesystem 100, using the heat source system control device 10. Theconfiguration of the heat source system 100 and the heat source systemcontrol device 10 will be described below.

(1-1) Heat Source System

The heat source system 100 has a plurality of heat source units 50 a, 50b, and 50 c, air conditioners 32 a, 32 b, and 32 c, primary pumps 41 a,41 b, and 41 c, and a first header (a header) 20, a second header 21,and a header temperature sensor 60. Each of the plurality of heat sourceunits 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c has different capacity and/or different loadcharacteristic. The heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c are invertertype heat source units. The heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c are,for example, air cooled inverter chillers or air cooled screw chillers.The primary pumps 41 a, 41 b, and 41 c send hot/cold water to the heatsource units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c with a certain flow amount. Hot/coldwater sent from the heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c is aggregatedby the first header 20. Water which is returned from the airconditioners 32 a, 32 b, and 32 c is aggregated by the second header 21.

Specifically, hot/cold water is sent to the heat source units 50 a, 50b, and 50 c using the primary pumps 41 a, 41 b, and 41 c in the heatsource system 100. Hot/cold water which is sent out from the heat sourceunits 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c is aggregated by the first header 20. Thewater aggregated by the first header 20 is sent to the air conditioners32 a, 32 b, and 32 c through an upstream side pipe 70. The headertemperature sensor 60 is provided at a portion of the first header 20where hot/cold water is aggregated. The header temperature sensor 60measures the temperature of the hot/cold water. Hot/cold wateraggregated by the first header 20 exchanges heat with indoor air in theair conditioners 32 a, 32 b, and 32 c. Hot/cold water sent from the airconditioners 32 a, 32 b, and 32 c is aggregated by the second header 21through a downstream side pipe 71. Hot/cold water aggregated by thesecond header 21 is sent to the primary pumps 41 a, 41 b, and 41 c. InFIG. 1, three heat source units and three air conditioners are describedas being in the heat source system 100, but the number of heat sourceunits and air conditioners is not limited to three.

(1-2) Heat Source System Control Device

The heat source system control device 10 controls the heat source units50 a, 50 b, and 50 c which are included in the heat source system 100 asdescribed above. The heat source system control device 10 is connectedto the header temperature sensor 60 using a communication line. The heatsource system control device 10 detects an output value from the headertemperature sensor 60 via the communication tine. In addition, the heatsource system control device 10 controls the load of each of the heatsource units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c via, for example, a communicationnetwork such as a LAN.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the heat source systemcontrol device 10. The heat source system control device 10 will bedescribed below using FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the heat source systemcontrol device 10 mainly has an input section 11, an output section 12.,a time management section 13, a header temperature detecting section 14,a memory section 15, and a control section 16.

(1-2-1) Input Section

The input section 11 is mainly configured from an operation button, akeyboard, a mouse, and the like. The input section 11 receives from auser a set temperature of hot/cold water which is aggregated by thefirst header 20. The set temperature which is received by the inputsection 11 is stored in a set temperature memory section 15 a describedlater.

(1-2-2) Output Section

The output section 12 is mainly configured from a display. A managementscreen, which shows various types of information which are stored in thememory section 15 described later, is displayed on the output section12. In addition, the output section 12 sends control commands for aninitial load described later and for an adjustment load described later,which are generated by a load command generating section 16 f describedlater, to each of the heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c.

(1-2-3) Time Management Section

The time management section 13 performs time management for varioustypes of control which are executed by the heat source system controldevice 10.

(1-2-4) Header Temperature Detecting Section

The header temperature detecting section 14 detects output values fromthe header temperature sensor 60.

(1-2-5) Memory Section

The memory section 15 is configured from a hard disk or the like and hasthe set temperature memory section 15 a, a coefficient of performancememory section 15 b, and a rated capacity memory section 15 c.

Here, the “coefficient of performance” is represented by coolingcapacity (kW) per 1 kW of power consumption. In addition, “load” isenergy which is actually consumed by the heat source unit. In a casewhere the heat source unit has an inverter type of compressor, the loadof the heat source unit is a numbers which is equivalent to a step ofthe compressor (a step equivalent number).

(1-2-5-1) Set Temperature Memory Section

The set temperature memory section 15 a stores the set temperature ofhot/cold water in the first header 20 which the input section 11receives from a user.

(1-2-5-2) Coefficient of Performance Memory Section

The coefficient of performance memory section 15 b stores information,which relates to the coefficient of performance according to the load,for each of the heat source units 50 a, 50, and 50 c. Specifically, thecoefficient of performance memory section 15 b stores a table of toadand coefficient of performance (refer to FIG. 4). The table of load andcoefficient of performance is a table which shows the coefficient ofperformance according to the loads of each of the heat source units 50a, 50 b, and 50 c. In detail, as shown in FIG. 4, heat source unitnumber which correspond to each of the heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and50 c and the coefficient of performance which corresponds to the loadsof each of the heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c are associated inthe table of load and coefficient of performance. In other words, thetable of load and coefficient of performance defines the coefficient ofperformance in a case where each of the heat source units 50 a, 50 b,and 50 c is operated at predetermined loads (10 to 100).

(1-2-5-3) Rated Capacity Memory Section

The rated capacity memory section 15 c stores rated capacity informationwith regard to the heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c (refer to FIG.5). Specifically, a table of rated capacity such as shown in FIG. 5 isstored in the rated capacity memory section 15 c. In the table of ratedcapacity, the heat source unit number which corresponds to each of theheat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c and the rated capacity for eachof the heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c are associated.

(1-2-6) Control Section

The control section 16 is configured from a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and thelike. The control section 16 reads out and executes a program which isstored in the memory section 15 described above. The control section 16performs a control for improving efficiency based on the capacitiesand/or the load characteristics of the respective heat source units 50a, 50 b, and 50 c by executing the program. Here, the control forimproving efficiency is a control for maintaining a high coefficient ofperformance for the entirety of the heat source system 100.Specifically, the coefficient of performance over the entirety of theheat source system 100 is increased in the control for improvingefficiency by performing a number of driving units adjusting process andan adjustment load setting process which will be described later.

In order to execute the control for improving efficiency, the controlsection 16 mainly functions as an initial load setting section 16 a, atemperature difference calculating section 16 b, a change necessitydetermining section 16 c, a load changing section 16 d, a number ofdriving units adjusting section 16 e, and a load command generatingsection 16 f.

(1-2-6-1)

The initial load setting section 16 a sets an initial toad with regardto each of the heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c (an initial loadsetting process). The initial load is a load which is initially set withregard to each of the heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c and is theload with the optimal coefficient of performance. In detail, the initialload setting section 16 a sets the load which indicates the optimalcoefficient of performance with regard to each of the heat source units50 a, 50 b, and 50 c based on the table of load and coefficient ofperformance which is stored in the coefficient of performance memorysection 15 b.

(1-2-6-2)

The temperature difference calculating section 16 b calculates thetemperature difference between the temperature of the hot/cold waterinside the first header 20 and a set temperature (a temperaturedifference calculation process). The temperature difference calculatingsection 16 b calculates the temperature difference by comparing anoutput value which is detected by the header temperature detectingsection 14 and the set temperature which is stored in the settemperature memory section 15 a. In detail, the temperature differencecalculating section 16 b calculates the temperature difference bysubtracting the set temperature which is stored in the set temperaturememory section 15 a from the temperature (actual measurementtemperature) of the hot/cold water in the first header 20. Thetemperature difference which is calculated by the temperature differencecalculating section 16 b is stored in the memory section describedabove.

The change necessity determining section 16 c determines the necessityfor changing the load at a predetermined timing (an adjustment necessitydetermining process). Here, the predetermined timing is after thetemperature difference calculation process is performed or the like. Indetail, the change necessity determining section 16 c determines thenecessity for changing the load based on the temperature differencewhich is calculated by the temperature difference calculating section 16b. The change necessity determining section 16 c determines thenecessity for changing the initial load in a case where the initial loadis set with regard to each of the heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50c. On the other hand, the change necessity determining section 16 cdetermines the necessity for changing the adjustment load in a casewhere the adjustment load is set with regard to each of the heat sourceunits 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c. The initial load is the load with theoptimal coefficient of performance which is initially set with regard toeach of the heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c as described above.In addition, the adjustment load is a load which is set by the loadchanging section 16 d described later and is a load which is set byadjusting an initial setting.

(1-2-6-3)

The change necessity determining section 16 c determines that it is notnecessary to change the initial load in a case where the temperaturedifference between the actual measurement temperature and the settemperature is included in a predetermined range. On the other hand, thechange necessity determining section 16 c determines that it isnecessary to change the initial load or the adjustment load in a casewhere the temperature difference between the actual measurementtemperature and the set temperature is outside of the predeterminedrange.

In a case where it is determined that changing of the load is necessary,the change necessity determining section 16 c determines whether thetemperature difference is a positive value or a negative value. In acase where the temperature difference is a positive value, the actualmeasurement temperature is higher than the set temperature. On the otherhand, in a case where the temperature difference is a negative value,the actual measurement temperature is lower than the set temperature.The change necessity determining section 16 c determines that changingof the load in the positive direction is necessary (increment of theload is necessary) in a case where the temperature difference is apositive value. In addition, the change necessity determining section 16c determines that changing of the load in the negative direction isnecessary (reduction of the load is necessary) in a case where thetemperature difference is a negative value.

(1-2-6-4)

The load changing section 16 d changes the load which is set with regardto each of the heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c. In other words,the load changing section 16 d sets the adjustment load (an adjustmentload setting process). The load changing section 16 d sets theadjustment load with regard to each of the heat source units 50 a, 50 b,and 50 c when the change necessity determining section 16 c describedabove determines that changing of the initial load is necessary. Inaddition, the load changing section 16 d sets a new adjustment load foreach of the heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c in a case where it isdetermined that changing of the adjustment load is necessary. Here, theadjustment load is a load for each of the heat source units 50 a, 50 b,and 50 c which is adjusted based on the temperature difference which iscalculated by the temperature difference calculating section 16 b. Inother words, the adjustment load is a load which is adjusted in order tobring the temperature of the hot/cold water in the first header 20 closeto the set temperature. In addition, the new adjustment load is anadjustment load which is newly set based on the temperature differenceafter the adjustment load is set.

The load changing section 16 d selects the load where each of the heatsource units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c is controlled from a range of loadswhich has a high coefficient of performance. Specifically, the loadchanging section 16 d determines the load which has a high coefficientof performance with regard to each of the heat source units 50 a, 50 b,and 50 c based on the table of load and coefficient of performance whichis stored in the coefficient of performance memory section 15 b.

The adjustment load determining process by the load changing section 16d will be described in detail using FIGS. 3( a) and 3(b).

FIGS. 3( a) and 3(b) respectively illustrate a relationship between theload and the coefficient of performance of the first heat source unit 50a and a relationship between the load and the coefficient of performanceof the second heat source unit 50 b. In detail, in FIGS. 3( a) and 3(b),the horizontal axis expresses the loads of the heat source units 50 aand 50 b and the vertical axis expresses the coefficient of performanceof the heat source units 50 a and 50 b. That is, curved lines which areshown in FIGS. 3( a) and 3(b) express the coefficient of performancewhich changes according to the loads of the heat source units 50 a and50 b.

The loads of the first heat source unit 50 a and the second heat sourceunit 50 b indicate step equivalent numbers of the compressors. That is,the step equivalent number is increased or decreased in order toincrease or decrease the load. The first heat source unit 50 a hascapacity and load characteristic which are different from those of thesecond heat source unit 50 b.

As shown in FIG. 3( a), the coefficient of performance in the first heatsource unit 50 a shows values which are close to the maximum when theloads are in a range of 15% to 50%. The control section 16 sets a lowerlimit value (35%) as a lower limit target value in a range of the loadsin which the coefficient of performance is close to the maximum. In thesame manner, the control section 16 sets an upper limit value (50%) asan upper limit target value in the range of the loads in which thecoefficient of performance is close to the maximum. Furthermore, thecontrol section 16 sets a middle value (42.5%) as a medium target valuethe range of the loads in which the coefficient of performance is closeto the maximum. The control section 16 controls the first heat sourceunit 50 a at any one stage out of the three stages of load of the lowerlimit target value, the medium target value, or the upper limit targetvalue.

In detail, the load is set to 42.5% in a case of reducing the energyconsumption of the first heat source unit 50 a when the initial load ofthe first heat source unit 50 a is 50%. Furthermore, the control section16 reduces the target value of the load by one stage at a time when theenergy consumption of the first heat source unit 50 a is reduced. On theother hand, the load is changed to 42.5% in a case of increasing theenergy consumption of the first heat source unit 50 a when the initialsetting of the first heat source unit 50 a is 35%. That is, the controlsection 16 increases the energy consumption by raising the target valueof the load by one stage at a time.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3( b), the coefficient ofperformance in the second heat source unit 50 b shows values which areclose to the maximum when the loads are in a range of 50% to 100%. Thecontrol section 16 sets a lower limit value (50%) as a lower limittarget value in a range of the loads in which the coefficient ofperformance is close to the maximum. In the same manner, the controlsection 16 sets an upper limit value (100%) as an upper limit targetvalue in the range of the loads in which the coefficient of performanceis close to the maximum. Furthermore, the control section 16 sets amiddle value (75%) as a medium target value in the range of the loads inwhich the coefficient of performance is close to the maximum. Thecontrol section 16 controls the second heat source unit 50 b at any onestage out of the three stages of load of the lower limit target value,the medium target value, and the upper limit target value.

In detail, the load is set to 75% in a case of reducing the energyconsumption of the second heat source unit 50 b when the initial load ofthe second heat source unit 50 b is 100%. Furthermore, the controlsection 16 reduces the target value of the load by one stage at a timewhen the energy consumption of the second heat source unit 50 b isreduced. On the other hand, the load is changed to 75% in a case ofincreasing the energy consumption of the second heat source unit 50 bwhen the initial setting of the second heat source unit 50 b is 50%.That is, the control section 16 increases the energy consumption byraising the target value of the load by one stage at a time.

(1-2-6-5)

The number of driving units adjusting section 16 e adjusts the number ofthe driving heat source units (the number of driving units adjustingprocess). Specifically, in a case where it is determined that changingof the initial load or the adjustment load is necessary by the changenecessity determining section 16 c but it is not possible to change theadjustment load, the number of driving units adjusting section 16 eadjusts the number of the driving heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50c. In detail, the number of driving units adjusting section 16 eincreases the number of the driving heat source units in a case wherethe step equivalent numbers of the compressors of all of the heat sourceunits 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c which are driven is the upper limit targetvalue and the change necessity determining section 16 c determines thatincrement of the load is necessary. In addition, the number of drivingunits adjusting section 16 e reduces the number of the driving heatsource units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c in a case where the step equivalentnumbers of all of the compressors which are driven is the lower limittarget value and the change necessity determining section 16 cdetermines that reduction of the load is necessary.

The number of driving units adjusting section 16 e compares the ratedcapacities of the respective heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c (arated capacity comparison process) and determines the heat source units50 a, 50 b, and 50 c which are to be driven and the heat source units 50a, 50 b, and 50 c which are to be stopped. For example, in a case wherethe first heat source unit 50 a of the rated capacity of 30 horsepowerand the second heat source unit 50 b of the rated capacity of 50horsepower shown in the table in FIG. 5 are not driven and the number ofthe driving heat source units is to be increased as a result of thenumber of driving units adjusting process, the first heat source unit 50a of the smaller rated capacity is driven. This is to avoid a rapidchange of output from the heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c in theheat source system 100.

(1-2-6-6)

The load command generating section 16 f generates control commandsbased on the adjustment load with regard to each of the heat sourceunits 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c. In detail, when the adjustment load is setby the load changing section 16 d, the load command generating section16 f sends the control commands each of the heat source units 50 a, 50b, and 50 c via the output section 12.

(2) CONTROL PROCESS PERFORMED BY HEAT SOURCE SYSTEM CONTROL DEVICE

The flow of a process for controlling the heat source system in the heatsource system control device 10 will be described below using FIG. 6.

First, the initial load setting section 16 a performs the initial loadsetting process in step S101. The number of the driving heat sourceunits 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c is set to two being close to half of thenumber of units of the heat source units, since the heat source system100 has three heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c.

In step S102, the header temperature detecting section 14 measures theactual measurement temperature. The header temperature detecting section14 detects output value from the header temperature sensor 60 and storesthe value in the memory section 15.

In step S103, the temperature difference calculating section 16 bperforms the temperature difference calculation process. The controlsection 16 stores the temperature difference, which is calculated, inthe memory section 15.

In step S104, the change necessity determining section 16 c performs theadjustment necessity determining process. The change necessitydetermining section 16 c performs determining of whether increment ofthe load is necessary or whether reduction of the load is necessary in acase where there is a temperature difference as a result of thetemperature difference calculation process.

In step S105, the process transitions to step S106 in a case where it isdetermined that the above mentioned increment of the load is necessary.In other cases, the process transitions to step S116.

In step S106, the load changing section 16 d performs the adjustmentload setting process so as to increase the loads of the heat sourceunits 50 a and 50 b which are currently being driven based on theinformation on temperature differences stored in the memory section 15and the table of load and coefficient of performance stored in thecoefficient of performance memory section 15 b. In detail, the loads ofthe heat source units 50 a and 50 b are increased by raising the stepnumbers of the compressors. In addition, it is possible to implement thecontrol for improving efficiency where a high coefficient of performanceis maintained over the entirety of the heat source system 100 bycontrolling the heat source units 50 a and 50 b in a range where thecoefficient of performance of each of the heat source units 50 a and 50b is high as shown in FIG. 3. In detail, the control section 16 controlsthe load of each of the heat source units 50 a and 50 b in three stagesof the lower limit target value, the medium target value, and the upperlimit target value. The control section 16 determines the heat sourceunits 50 a and 50 b where the loads are to be increased and the targetvalues of the loads out of the three stages for the heat source units 50a and 50 b based on the temperature difference stored in the memorysection 15 and the table of load and coefficient of performance storedin the coefficient of performance memory section 15 b.

The load command generating section 16 f generates control commandsbased on the adjustment loads with regard to the heat source units 50 aand 50 b.

The output section 12 sends the control commands generated by the loadcommand generating section 16 f to the heat source units 50 a and 50 b.

In step S107, the control section 16 determines whether the loads of allof the driving heat source units 50 a and 50 b are the upper limittarget values. In a case where the loads of all of the heat source units50 a and 50 b are not the upper limit target values, an upper limit flagis stored as OFF in the memory section 15 and the process returns tostep S102. In a case where the loads of all of the heat source units 50a and 50 b are the upper limit target values, the upper limit flag isstored as ON in the memory section 15 and the process transitions tostep S108.

In step S108, the time management section 13 starts measuring time for apredetermined waiting time of, for example, five minutes or the like.The temperature difference calculating section 16 b performs thetemperature difference calculation process after the predeterminedwaiting time elapses. After this, the change necessity determiningsection 16 c performs the adjustment necessity determining process.Here, in a case where the upper limit flag which is in the memorysection 15 is ON and it is determined that increment of the load isnecessary in the adjustment necessity determining process, the processtransitions to step S109. In other cases, the process returns to stepS102.

In step S109, the number of driving units adjusting section 16 eperforms the number of driving units adjusting process and determinesthe number of the heat source units which are to be driven. After this,the number of driving units adjusting section 16 e performs the ratedcapacity comparison process and determines the heat source units whichare newly to be driven. Here, since the only heat source unit wheredriving is currently stopped is the third heat source unit 50 c, drivingof the third heat source unit 50 c is started. The load of the thirdheat source unit 50 c where driving is started is the lower limit targetvalue. The lower limit target value is chosen so as not to change theoutput of the heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c rapidly in the heatsource system 100. A control command is generated by the load commandgenerating section 16 f and is sent to the third heat source unit 50 cvia the output section 12. Driving of the third heat source unit 50 c isstarted and the process returns to step S102.

In step S116, the process transitions to step S117 in a case where it isdetermined that the reduction of the load is necessary in step S104. Ina case where it is determined that it is not necessary to increase theload and it is not necessary to reduce the load, the process transitionsto step S102.

In step S117, the load changing section 16 d performs the adjustmentload setting process so as to reduce the loads of the heat source units50 a and 50 b which arc currently being driven based on the informationon temperature differences stored in the memory section 15 and the tableof load and coefficient of performance stored in the coefficient ofperformance memory section 15 b. In detail, the loads of the heat sourceunits 50 a and 50 b are reduced by lowering the step numbers of thecompressors. In addition, it is possible to implement the control forimproving efficiency where a high coefficient of performance ismaintained over the entirety of the heat source system 100 bycontrolling the heat source units 50 a and 50 b in a range where thecoefficient of performance of each of the heat source units 50 a and 50b is high as shown in FIG. 3. In detail, the control section 16 controlsthe load of each of the heat source units 50 a and 50 b in three stagesof the lower limit target value, the medium target value, and the upperlimit target value. The control section 16 determines the heat sourceunits 50 a and 50 b where the loads are to be reduced and the targetvalues of the loads out of the three stages for the heat source units 50a and 50 b based on temperature differences stored in the memory section15 and the table of load and coefficient of performance stored in thecoefficient of performance memory section 15 b.

The load command generating section 16 f generates control commandsbased on the adjustment loads with regard to the heat source units 50 aand 50 b.

The output section 12 sends the control commands generated by the loadcommand generating section 16 f to the heat source units 50 a and 50 b.

In step S118, the control section 16 determines whether the loads of allof the driving heat source units 50 a and 50 b are the lower limittarget values. In a case where the loads of all of the heat source units50 a and 50 b which are currently being driven are not the lower limittarget values, a lower limit flag is stored as OFF in the memory section15 and the process returns to step S102. In a case where the loads ofall of the heat source units 50 a and 50 b are the lower limit targetvalues, the lower limit flag is stored as ON in the memory section 15and the process transitions to step S119.

In step S119, the time management section 13 starts measuring time for apredetermined waiting time of, for example, five minutes or the like.The temperature difference calculating section 16 b performs thetemperature difference calculation process after the predeterminedwaiting time elapses. After this, the change necessity determiningsection 16 c performs the adjustment necessity determining process.Here, in a case where the tower limit flag which is in the memorysection 15 is ON and it is determined that reduction of the load isnecessary in the adjustment necessity determining process, the processtransitions to step S120. In other cases, the process returns to stepS102.

In step S120, the number of driving units adjusting section 16 eperforms the number of driving units adjusting process and determinesthe number of units of the heat source units which are to be driven.After this, the driving units adjusting section 16 e performs the ratedcapacity comparison process and determines the heat source units whichare to be stopped. Here, the heat source units which are being drivenare the first heat source unit 50 a and the second heat source unit 50b, and driving of the first heat source unit 50 a is stopped since therated capacity of the first heat source unit 50 a is smaller when therated capacities of the respective heat source units 50 a and 50 b,shown in FIG. 5, are compared. A control command is generated by theload command generating section 16 f and is sent to the first heatsource unit 50 a via the output section 12. The first heat source unit50 a is stopped and the process returns to step S102.

(3) CHARACTERISTICS (3-1)

In the heat source system control device according to the presentembodiment, the control section 16 controls the heat source units 50 a,50 b, and 50 c such that the temperature of the hot/cold water insidethe first header 20, which is detected by the header temperaturedetecting section 14, becomes the set temperature of the hot/cold waterwhich is stored in the set temperature memory section 15 a. At thistime, the control for improving efficiency is performed based on therespective capacities and load characteristics of the heat source units50 a, 50 b, and 50 c such that the coefficient of performance of each ofthe heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c is maximized.

As a result, it is possible to maximize the coefficient of performanceover the entirety of the heat source system 100 which has the pluralityof heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c where the capacities and/orthe load characteristics are different.

(3-2)

In the present embodiment, the control section 16 controls the heatsource units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c of the heat source system 100 with theloads of the tower limit target value, the medium target value, or theupper limit target value which are three stages where the coefficient ofperformance is high with regard to each of the heat source units 50 a,50 b, and 50 c. As such, it is possible to perform the control forimproving efficiency such that the coefficient of performance over theentirety of the heat source system 100 is brought close to the maximum.

(3-3)

In the present embodiment, the control section 16 controls the load ofeach of the heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c including driving andstopping of the heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c. As such, it ispossible to flexibly perform the control for improving efficiency overthe entirety of the heat source system which has the plurality of heatsource units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c where the capacities and/or the loadcharacteristics are different.

(3-4)

In the present embodiment, it is possible for the heat source systemcontrol device 10 to more easily and reliably perform the control forimproving efficiency such that the coefficient of performance for theentirety of the heat source system is maximized with regard to the totalenergy consumption of the entirety of the heat source system based oninformation which relates to the coefficient of performance of each ofthe heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c in the heat source system 100which has the plurality of heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c wherethe capacities and/or the load characteristics are different.

(3-5)

In the present embodiment, it is possible for the heat source systemcontrol device 10 to select the optimal heat source units 50 a, 50 b,and 50 c, perform driving or stopping of the heat source units 50 a, 50b, and 50 c, and perform the control for improving efficiency so as tomaximize the coefficient of performance for the entirety of the heatsource system 100 based on the rated capacity information of each of theheat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c in a case where it is necessaryto carry out controlling by driving or stopping the heat source units inthe heat source system 100 which has the plurality of heat source units50 a, 50 b, and 50 c where the capacities and/or the loadcharacteristics are different,

(4) MODIFIED EXAMPLES

An embodiment of the present invention is described above based on thedrawings, but the detailed configuration is not limited to theembodiment described above and modifications are possible within a rangewhich does not depart from the gist of the present invention. Modifiedexamples of the present embodiment are shown below. A plurality of themodified examples may be appropriately combined.

(4-1) Modified Example A

In the heat source system 100 according to the embodiment describedabove, a certain amount of hot/cold water is sent from the primary pumps41 a, 41 b, and 41 c. Here, the heat source system control device 10 maybring the temperature of the hot/cold water, which is aggregated by thefirst header 20, close to the set temperature by controlling the flowamount of the hot/cold water which is sent from the primary pumps 41 a,41 b, and 41 c to the heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c. Thecontrol section 16 of the heat source system control device 10 controlsthe flow amount from the primary pumps 41 a, 41 b, and 41 c via acommunication network of a signal line or the like.

Here, the control section 16 controls the load of each of the heatsource units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c. As such, the amount of heat which isoutput by each of the heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c isperceived, in the present modified example, the amount of heat which isoutputted by the heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c is kept constantby keeping the load of each of the heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50c constant.

(4-1-1) Control Process Performed by Heat Source System Control Devicein Modified Example A

The flow of the process for controlling the heat source system in theheat source system control device 10 in modified example A will bedescribed below using FIG. 7.

First, the initial load setting section 16 a performs the initial loadsetting process in step S201. With regard to the number of the drivingheat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c, all of the heat source units 50a, 50 b, and 50 c are driven in order to bring the temperature of thehot/cold water which is aggregated by the first header 20 close to theset temperature by controlling the flow amount of the hot/cold water.

In step S202, the header temperature detecting section 14 measures theactual measurement temperature. The header temperature detecting section14 detects output value from the header temperature sensor 60 and storesthe values in the memory section 15.

In step 5203, the temperature difference calculating section 16 bperforms the temperature difference calculation process. The controlsection 16 stores the temperature difference, which is calculated, inthe memory section 15.

In step S204, the control section 16 determines that it is necessary toreduce the flow amount of the hot/cold water which is sent to the heatsource units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c (a reduction in flow amount isnecessary) in a case where the temperature difference described above isa positive value. In addition, the control section 16 determines that itis necessary to increase the flow amount of the hot/cold water which issent to the heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c (an increment in flowamount is necessary) in a case where the temperature differencedescribed above is a negative value.

In step S205, the process transitions to step S206 in a case where it isdetermined that a reduction in the flow amount is necessary as describedabove. In other cases, the process transitions to step S216.

In step S206, the control section 16 reduces the flow amount of thehot/cold water, which is sent out to each of the heat source units 50 a,50 b, and 50 c. It is possible for the control section 16 to reduce theflow amount by controlling the primary pumps 41 a, 41 b, and 41 c. Bydoing this, the temperature of the hot/cold water which is dischargedfrom each of the heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c is lowered. Inthe present modified example, the loads of the heat source units 50 a,50 b, and 50 c are constant, but it is further possible for thetemperature of the hot/cold water to be lowered by increasing the loadsof the heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c. When the process of stepS206 is completed, the process returns to step S202.

In step S216, the process transitions to step S217 in a case where it isdetermined that an increment in the flow amount is necessary in stepS204. In other cases, the process returns to step S202.

In step S217, the control section 16 increases the flow amount of thehot/cold water, which is sent out to each of the heat source units 50 a,50 b, and 50 c. It is possible for the control section 16 to increasethe flow amount by controlling the primary pumps 41 a, 41 b, and 41 c.By doing this, the temperature of the hot/cold water which is dischargedfrom each of the heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c is raised. Inthe present modified example, the loads of the heat source units 50 a,50 b, and 50 c are constant, but it is further possible for thetemperature of the hot/cold water to be raised by reducing the loads ofthe heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c. When the process of stepS217 is completed, the process returns to step S202.

(4-1-2) Characteristics

In the present modified example, the flow amount of the hot/cold waterwhich is supplied to each of the heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 cand the load of each of the heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c arecontrolled such that the temperature of the hot/cold water which isaggregated by the first header 20 is brought close to the settemperature. As such, it is possible to more easily perform the controlfor improving efficiency so as to bring the efficiency of the totalenergy consumption over the entirety of the heat source system close tothe maximum in the heat source system which has the plurality of heatsource units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c where the capacities and/or the loadcharacteristics are different.

(4-2) Modified Example B

In modified example A, the control section 16 brings the temperature ofthe hot/cold water which is aggregated by the first header 20 close tothe set temperature by controlling the flow amount of the hot/cold waterwhich is sent to each of the heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c bythe primary pumps 41 a, 41 b, and 41 c but modified examples are notlimited to this.

In modified example B, outlet temperature sensors 61 a, 61 b, and 61 cwhich detect the temperature of the hot/cold water which is dischargedfrom each of the heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c may be furtherprovided as shown in. FIG. 8. The heat source system control device 10may be further provided with an outlet temperature detecting section 17as shown in FIG. 9. The outlet temperature detecting section 17 detectsoutput values from the outlet temperature sensors 61 a, 61 b, and 61 cvia a communication network such as a signal line.

The heat source system control device 10 controls the load of each ofthe heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c and the flow amount of thehot/cold water. It is possible for the control section 16 to perceivethe flow amounts of the hot/cold water which are respectively dischargedfrom the heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c by controlling theprimary pumps 41 a, 41 b, and 41 c. In addition, it is possible for thecontrol section 16 to perceive the temperature of the hot/cold waterwhich is discharged from each of the heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and50 c with the outlet temperature sensors 61 a, 61 b, and 61 c. As such,it is possible to perceive the flow amount of the hot/cold water whichis aggregated by the first header 20 and the temperature of the hot/coldwater without using the output values from the header temperature sensor60. Due to this, the control section 16 controls each of the heat sourceunits 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c so as to bring the coefficient of performanceof the heat source system 100 close to the maximum by controlling theprimary pumps 41 a, 41 b, and 411 c and the loads of the heat sourceunits 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c. Accordingly, the temperature of the hot/coldwater which is aggregated by the first header 20 may be brought close tothe set temperature.

(4-2-1) Control Process Performed by Heat Source System Control Devicein Modified Example B

The flow of the process for controlling the heat source system in theheat source system control device 10 in modified example B will bedescribed below using FIG. 10. First, the initial load setting section16 a performs the initial load setting process in step S301. With regardto the number of the driving heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c, allof the heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c are driven in order tobring the temperature of the hot/cold water which is aggregated by thefirst header 20 close to the set temperature by controlling the flowamount of the hot/cold water and the loads of the heat source units 50a, 50 b, and 50 c.

In step S302, the header temperature detecting section 14 measures theactual measurement temperature. The header temperature detecting section14 detects output value from the header temperature sensor 60 and storesthe output values in the memory section 15.

In step S303, the temperature difference calculating section 16 bperforms the temperature difference calculation process. The controlsection 16 stores the temperature difference, which is calculated, inthe memory section 15.

In step S304, the change necessity determining section 16 c performs theadjustment necessity determining process. The change necessitydetermining section 16 c performs determining of whether increment ofthe load is necessary or reduction of the load is necessary in a casewhere there is a temperature difference as a result of the temperaturedifference calculation process.

In step S305, the process transitions to step S306 in a case where it isdetermined that the above mentioned increment of the load is necessary.In other cases, the process transitions to step S316.

In step S306, the outlet temperature detecting section 17 detects theoutlet temperatures which are the output values from the respectiveoutlet temperature sensors 61 a, 61 b, and 61 c. The outlet temperaturedetecting section 17 stores the outlet temperatures, which are detected,in the memory section 15.

In step S307, the control section 16 determines the outlet temperaturesof the respective heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c and the flowamounts which are discharged from the respective heat source units 50 a,50 b, and 50 c. The outlet temperatures and the flow amounts describedabove are determined so that the actual measurement temperature becomesclose to the set temperature and the flow amount of the hot/cold waterbecomes the flow amount of the hot/cold water which is necessary for theheat source system 100. The control section 16 increases the load ofeach of the heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c based on thetemperature difference between the outlet temperature of each of theheat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c and the outlet temperature ofeach of the heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c which is determinedby the control section 16 as it is determined in step S304 thatincrement of the load is necessary. Furthermore, controlling of the flowamounts of the discharged hot/cold water is performed. Then, the controlsection 16 sets the outlet temperatures to the respective outlettemperatures of the heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c which aredetermined by the control section 16. Furthermore, the control section16 sets the flow amounts to the flow amounts which are dischargedrespectively from the heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c describedabove which are determined by the control section 16. When the processof step S307 is completed, the process returns to step S302.

In step S316, the process transitions to step S317 in a case where it isdetermined that reduction of the load is necessary as described above.In other cases, the process transitions to step S302.

In step S317, the outlet temperature detecting section 17 detects theoutlet temperatures which are the output values from the respectiveoutlet temperature sensors 61 a, 61 b, and 61 c. The outlet temperaturedetecting section 17 stores the outlet temperatures, which are detected,in the memory section 15.

In step S318, the control section 16 determines the outlet temperaturesof the respective heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c and the flowamounts which are discharged from the respective heat source units 50 a,50 b, and 50 c. The outlet temperatures and the flow amounts describedabove are determined so that the actual measurement temperature becomeclose to the set temperature and the flow amount of the hot/cold waterbecomes the flow amount of the hot/cold water which is necessary for theheat source system 100. The control section 16 reduces the load of eachof the heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c based on the temperaturedifference between the outlet temperature of each of the heat sourceunits 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c and the outlet temperature of each of theheat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c which is determined by thecontrol section 16 as it is determined in step S304 that reduction ofthe load is necessary. Furthermore, controlling of the flow amounts ofthe discharged hot/cold water is performed. Then, the control section 16sets the outlet temperatures to the respective outlet temperatures ofthe heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c which are determined by thecontrol section 16. Furthermore, the control section 16 sets the flowamounts to the flow amounts which are discharged respectively from theheat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c described above which aredetermined by the control section 16. When the process of step S318 iscompleted, the process returns to step S302.

(4-2-2) Characteristics

In the present modified example, the outlet temperature detectingsection 17 detects the outlet temperatures of the hot/cold waterrespectively from the heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c and thecontrol section 16 controls the flow amounts of the hot/cold water ofthe respective heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c. As such, thecontrol section 16 controls the load and the flow amount of the hot/coldwater in each of the heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c based on theoutlet temperature and the flow amount of the hot/cold water in each ofthe heat source units 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c. As such, it is possible tomore easily and reliably control the temperature and the flow amount ofthe hot/cold water in the first header 20. In addition, it is possibleto perform the control for improving efficiency with regard to the heatsource system such that the coefficient of performance of the entiretyof the heat source system 100 becomes close to the maximum.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

It is possible to apply the present invention to a heat source systemwhich has a plurality of heat source units and a header which aggregateshot/cold water which is supplied from heat source units.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   10 HEAT SOURCE SYSTEM CONTROL DEVICE-   20 FIRST HEADER (HEADER)-   21 SECOND HEADER-   32 a FIRST AIR CONDITIONER-   32 b SECOND AIR CONDITIONER-   32 c THIRD AIR CONDITIONER-   41 a FIRST PRIMARY PUMP-   41 b SECOND PRIMARY PUMP-   41 c TRIM PRIMARY PUMP-   50 a FIRST HEAT SOURCE UNIT-   50 b SECOND HEAT SOURCE UNIT-   50 c THIRD HEAT SOURCE UNIT-   60 HEADER TEMPERATURE SENSOR-   70 UPSTREAM SIDE PIPE-   71 DOWNSTREAM SIDE PIPE-   100 HEAT SOURCE SYSTEM-   200 ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

-   Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application    Publication No. 2005-114295

1. A heat source system control device configured to control a heatsource system having a plurality of heat source units with at least oneof different capacities and different load characteristics, a headerwhich aggregates hot/cold water supplied from the plurality of heatsource units, and a header temperature sensor which measures atemperature of hot/cold water which is aggregated by the header, theheat source system control device comprising: a set temperature memorysection storing a set temperature of the hot/cold water in the header; aheader temperature detecting section detecting output values from theheader temperature sensor; and a coefficient of performance memorysection storing information, which relates to a coefficient ofperformance according to a load of each of the plurality of eat sourceunits, as coefficient of performance information, a control sectionperforming a control in order to improve efficiency of the plurality ofheat source units based on respective capacities and/or loadcharacteristics and to bring the temperature of the hot/cold water closeto the set temperature, the control section including an initial loadsetting section setting, an upper limit value in a range of load inwhich the coefficient of performance is close to a maximum with regardto the plurality of heat source units based on the coefficient ofperformance information stored in the coefficient of performance memorysection, and the control section driving each of the plurality of heatsources with the upper limit value.
 2. The heat source system controldevice according to claim 1, wherein the control section furtherincludes a change necessity determining section which determines whetherit is necessary to change values of the load which are set to theplurality of the heat source units, and a load changing section whichchanges the values of the load when it is determined that change of thevalues of the load is necessary, and the load changing section changesthe values of the load from values which are currently set to anothervalues in the range of load.
 3. The heat source system control deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein the initial load setting section sets theupper limit value for a plurality of predetermined heat source units ofthe plurality of the heat source units, the control section furtherincludes a number of driving units adjusting section which adjusts anumber of heat source units being driven, the number of driving unitsadjusting section drives the heat source units other than the pluralityof the predetermined heat source units in a case when the upper limitvalue is set to each of the plurality of the predetermined heat sourceunits and it is determined that further change of the values of the loadis necessary by the change necessity determining section, and the numberof driving units adjusting section stops the plurality of thepredetermined heat source units in a case when a lower limit value isset to each of the plurality of the predetermined heat source units andit is determined that further change of the values of the load isnecessary by the change necessity determining section.
 4. The heatsource system control device according to claim 1, further comprising: arated capacity memory section storing information, which relates to arated capacity of each of the plurality of heat source units, as ratedcapacity information, the control section determining the heat sourceunits which are driven or stopped based on the rated capacityinformation stored in the rated capacity memory section.
 5. The heatsource system control device according to claim 1, wherein the heatsource system further has a plurality of pumps which supply the hot/coldwater to each of the plurality of heat source units, and the controlsection adjusts the temperature of the hot/cold water which isaggregated by the header by controlling a flow amount of the hot/coldwater supplied from the plurality of pumps.
 6. The heat source systemcontrol device according to claim 5, wherein the heat source systemfurther has a plurality of outlet temperature sensors which are arrangedin a vicinity of respective outlets of the plurality of heat sourceunits and measure outlet temperatures of the hot/cold water which issupplied to the header, an outlet temperature detecting section, whichdetects output values from the plurality of outlet temperature sensors,is further provided, and the control section adjusts the temperature ofthe hot/cold water in the header by controlling the load of each of theplurality of heat source units and the flow amount of the hot/cold waterwhich is supplied from the plurality of pumps based on the outlettemperature of each of the plurality of heat source units and the flowamount of the hot/cold water which is supplied from each of theplurality of heat source units.
 7. The heat source system control deviceaccording to claim 2, further comprising: a rated capacity memorysection storing information, which relates to a rated capacity of eachof the plurality of heat source units, as rated capacity information,the control section determining the heat source units which are drivenor stopped based on the rated capacity information stored in the ratedcapacity memory section.
 8. The heat source system control deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein the heat source system further has aplurality of pumps which supply the hot/cold water to each of theplurality of heat source units, and the control section adjusts thetemperature of the hot/cold water which is aggregated by the header bycontrolling a flow amount of the hot/cold water supplied from theplurality of pumps.
 9. The heat source system control device accordingto claim 3, further comprising: a rated capacity memory section storinginformation, which relates to a rated capacity of each of the pluralityof heat source units, as rated capacity information, the control sectiondetermining the heat source units which are driven or stopped based onthe rated capacity information stored in the rated capacity memorysection.
 10. The heat source system control device according to claim 3,wherein the heat source system further has a plurality of pumps whichsupply the hot/cold water to each of the plurality of heat source units,and the control section adjusts the temperature of the hot/cold waterwhich is aggregated by the header by controlling a flow amount of thehot/cold water supplied from the plurality of pumps.
 11. The heat sourcesystem control device according to claim 4, wherein the heat sourcesystem further has a plurality of pumps which supply the hot/cold waterto each of the plurality of heat source units, and the control sectionadjusts the temperature of the hot/cold water which is aggregated by theheader by controlling a flow amount of the hot/cold water supplied fromthe plurality of pumps.